Former Detroit Police Chief Convicted of Embezzlement

Published: May 8, 1992

DETROIT, May 7—
A Federal jury today convicted Detroit's former police Chief of stealing $2.6 million in taxpayer money over seven years. The money had been intended for undercover drug operations.

After deliberating for eight days, the 12-member jury concluded that the former Chief, William L. Hart, embezzled the money to buy luxury cars and gifts for three former girlfriends as well as to renovate his home and a cottage in Canada. He was also convicted of filing false Federal income tax returns in 1986 and 1987.

He was acquitted of tax evasion in 1985, witness tampering and conspiring with a former deputy chief.

Mr. Hart, 68 years old, faces up to five years in prison and a $1 million fine. He remains free on a personal bond until sentencing on Aug. 4. Mr. Hart's lawyer said he planned to appeal the conviction. 'Cookie Jar' Looted

The conviction of Mr. Hart, a 40-year veteran of the police department, concludes a painful chapter in Detroit's history that began with his indictment on Feb. 11, 1991, after a two-year Federal investigation into accusations of public corruption.

Prosecutors said Mr. Hart embezzled $1.3 million from the fund that was set up for undercover operations, and let a deputy civilian chief, Kenneth Weiner, steal another $1.3 million.

"Former Chief William Hart clearly had his hand in the public cookie jar and looted it of over $2.5 million," said Hal Helterhoff, special agent in charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Detroit. "The public trust was sadly broken."

Stephen Markman, the United States Attorney for Detroit whose office prosecuted the case, said the money diverted by Chief Hart was intended to fight crime "in a city desperately in need of such resources." He added that while the Chief was looting money for his personal use, city narcotics officers were forced to dip into their own pockets for $50 for "buy" money for drugs.

The 10-woman, 2-man jury, which heard 110 witnesses and saw 457 exhibits during the 14-week trial, deliberated 51 hours over the eight days before reaching a verdict. The jurors declined to comment afterward.

Despite the conviction, Mayor Coleman A. Young, who appointed Mr. Hart 16 years ago, defended him after the verdict was announced.

"As far as I'm concerned, Bill Hart was a good man and a good cop," Mayor Young said. "He rendered good and faithful service to the people of Detroit and his nearly 40 years of faithful service cannot go unrecognized."

Mayor Young had replaced Mr. Hart as Chief after his indictment and had assigned him to another city job while he continued to draw his annual salary of about $100,000. The Mayor's press secretary, Robert Berg, said Mr. Hart's pay now would end.

During the trial, Mr. Hart's lawyer, Thomas Cranmer, portrayed Mr. Hart as an honest police officer but a poor administrator who frequently signed papers without knowing their contents.

Mr. Cranmer said Mr. Hart had been conned by Mr. Weiner, who was indicted at the same time as Mr. Hart, pleaded guilty to conspiracy and was sentenced to two and a half years in prison. Mr. Cranmer said he did not know if an appeal would be filed.

Of the $2.6 million, half went to dummy corporations controlled by Mr. Weiner. Prosecutors said the other half was stolen through checks written to cash, signed by Mr. Hart, in clear violation of city rules.

During the trial, Mr. Cranmer contended that Mr. Hart spent about $1.3 million on a legitimate "deep undercover" police operation but did not keep any records because he feared they would let word get out.

Prosecutors tried to show that Mr. Hart, who has been married to the same woman for 41 years, spent more than he earned on gifts of cash, expensive clothing, trips and concert tickets for three girlfriends. Testimony also showed that Mr. Hart spent considerable money on renovations to his property, lottery tickets and luxury cars.

Mr. Hart did not take the stand, and his wife, Laura, was the main defense witness. She said their family accumulated thousands of dollars in metal boxes hidden at home through frugality. She said she saved her nursing salary, sewed clothes for the family, baked bread and canned vegetables.